Electric hot-water faucet and means for operating same



.May 1, 1928. 1 1,667,815

A. M. NICKERSON ELECTRIC HOT WATER FAUCET AND MEANS FOR OPERATING SAMEFiled May 10. 1926 F157. A F F/g. Z F

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t' I R2 l K L 2 P F Aggus fus M. Nicleamun Invent/r i'lw Patented May 1,1928.

PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUSTUS M. NIGKEBSON, OF WINTHROP, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC HOT-WATER FAUCET AND MEANS FOR OPERATING SAME.

Application filed May 10,

My invention relates to electrical hot water faucets and to the meansand method of operating and controlling same. It has for its purpose tofurnish an economical and efficient heating unit for water faucets, toprovide a dual operating switch combination comprising a primary switchadjacent to the faucet adaptable to operate a secondary magnetic switchdistant from the water cet; to minimize the possibility of electricalshock to the operator; to provide indicating means designed to functionin event the contact breaking means fails through breakage or othercause; to provide a novel primary switch mechanism adaptable foroperation by a faucet handle; to render electrical water heating faucetsavailable for commercial and home use under rigid safety requirements;and to provide the various other advantages and results made evidentfrom the following specification. I accomplish th objects of myinvention shown in the accompanying drawings which form a part of thisspecification and in which Figure 1 is a front view of a hot waterfaucet to which my device has been adapted, with a commercial typemagnetic switch connected below. Figure 2 is a sectional view on theline arr-a, in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows the working parts of the primaryswitch, the faucet handle being in the position of on, and the switchcontact closed. Figure shows the primary switch mechanism with thecontact broken, the faucet handle being in the position of off.

Refering again to Figure 1, B shows the faucet handle. C shows the waterspout or outlet, D and E show holding screws by which the switch cover Fis held in position. G shows a loose plate which slides as the handle Bis moved, and through which passes the handle finger B (see Fig. 2)extending beneath the cover F. H shows the case in which is containedthe heating unit, I shows the magnetic switch connected by the wires Kand L to the heating units J (see Fig. 2) in the holding case H. M and Nshow the wires connecting the magneticswitch I with the source ofelectrical energy.

Referring again to Figure 2, O shows the fixed conductor of the primaryswitch. P show the wire connecting same with the magnetic switch I. 0shows the water pipe connected with the source of supply. it showsinsulation sections between the case H and the coils S. R show openingsin 1926. Serial No. 107,925.

the insulation discs through which openings the water from the source ofsupply passes onto the coils S and out through the spout C. B shows thepivot on which the faucet handle turns.

Referring again to Figures 3 and 4:, T shows the movin arm of theprimary switch the lower part of which T is of any suitable metaladaptable for use as a conductor. The upper half T is of any suitablenon conducting material. T show the rivets with which the two parts arejoined. The upper part of the moving arm is slotted at U to engage thefinger end B of the faucet handle B. The arm T is hinged at T and as thefaucet handle B is turned to its on position the circuit is completed bycontact at O and T With the handle B in its off position the contact atO and T is broken. Turning the handle B in the direction away from itson position delivers cold water, the electrical contact being thenbroken. 7 shows a pin mounted in the spring to exert a pressure againstthe arm T, designed to indicate when flush with the cover F that theelectrical contact is perfected, and when extending beyond the surfaceof said cover to indicate that said contact is broken. P and P show thewires connecting the primary switch withthe magnetic switch. V and Vshows the conductors leading from the heating units J connected with themagnetic switch I by the wires K and L.

In operation, assuming that the handle B is in its neutral position andthat the operator wishes to draw cold water; the handle is moved awayfrom its on position so that the arm T does not complete the circuit tothe magnetic switch unit and the heating coils S. V] hen it is desiredto draw hot water the handle B is turned to its on position, as shown inFigure 3, at which time the arm T is moved to close the circuit throughconduct-ing portion T of arm T engaging contact O. The circuit is thuscompleted through wires P-P from the primary switch to the magneticswitch hence throwing the magnetic switch to close the circuit throughwires KL to the heating coils S. Since the water flows around theheating coils it is brought to the proper temperature before beingdischarged from the nozzle of the faucet designated by C; and sincethere are two electric circuits, one controlled by the other, shocks areprevented through the handle B, and the device fully fulfills theplumbing requirements of local municipal building regulations.

S1m1lar letters of reference refer to similar 1 parts throughout thevarious views.

I do not desire to confine myself to the specific details ofconstruction herein set forth but claim all such variations andequivalents as may well be construed to fall within the scope of theappended claims.

Having thus described my invention 1 claim as new and, desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United Statesof America:

1. In a device of the type described, a taucethaving a handle forcontrolling the outlet ot'fluid therefrom, a heating coil interposed inthe path of fluid passing through the faucet, a switching deviceoperable from the handle and connected with a source of power and withthe heating coil and comprising a pivoted arm formed with an upperandalower section; the upper section being formed of non-conductivematerial, and the lower section being formed ot conductive material andconnected to the upper section, acontact for completing the circuit whenthe pivoted arm is moved'to engage its lower portion thereon, and theupper portion of the arm being operatively connected with the handle.

2. In a device of the type described, a faucet having a handle "forcontrolling the outlet of fluid therefrom, a heating coil interposed inthe path of fluid passing through the faucet, a switching deviceoperable from the handle and connected with a source of power and withthe heating coil and com therein, and means engaging in the slot andconnected with the handle for throwing the switch upon movement of thehandle.

3. In a device of the type described, a faucet having a handle forcontrolling the outlet of-fluid therefrom, a heating coil interposed inthe path of fluid passing through the faucet, a magnetic switchingdevice in circuit with the heating coil, and a control switch in circuitwith the magnetic switch for throwing the same to power the heatingcoil, said control switch operable from the handle and connected with asource of power, and comprising a pivoted arm formed with an upper and alower section, the upper section being formed of non conduct-ivematerial, and the lower section being formed of conductive material andconnected with the upper section, a contact for completing the circuitwhen the pivoted arm is moved to engage the lower portion thereonthereby to throw said magnetic switch, the upper por-' tion or" the armhaving an elongated slot therein, and means engaging the slot andconnected with the handle for throwing the switch upon movement of thehandle. 7

In testimonywhereof I my signature,

AUGUSTUS nnioitnnson.

